Talks to focus on Hopetoun fly-in, fly-out plan

Western Australia's Regional Development Minister will hold talks with BHP-Billiton next week about the possibility of setting up a fly-in, fly-out workforce from Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe.

The town's chamber of commerce and industry surveyed about 70 Hopetoun residents affected by the closure of the nickel mine, and found that most supported the move.

Last month, BHP said it would consider setting up the south coast town as fly-in, fly-out base.

Brendon Grylls says it is time BHP revealed its intentions for its Ravensthorpe mining operations.

"This is a very clear indication that many people are pinning their future on BHP coming up with a fly-in, fly-out option and on the back of this survey, I've called an emergency meeting with BHP's iron ore operations manager, Ian Ashby," he said.